Florida for the holidays: Baylor to face UNC in Orlando

Despite a string of injuries that eventually forced the Bears to play wide receivers and running backs at quarterback, the 17th-ranked Bears have earned a sixth-straight bowl appearance — extending a program-record run — and will face both a familiar face and a stout opponent in No. 10 North Carolina when the Russell Athletic Bowl kicks off in Orlando (Dec. 29, 4:30 p.m. CT, ESPN).

The game will be the Bears’ first ever against the Tar Heels — the ACC’s Coastal Division champion — but longtime Baylor fans will recognize the man at the program’s helm. UNC head coach Larry Fedora got his start in the college ranks as a Baylor assistant under Grant Teaff and Chuck Reedy from 1991-96. Now in his fourth year at North Carolina, Fedora’s Tar Heels are 11-2 thanks to an offense that ranks 11th nationally in points per game. Dual-threat quarterback Marquise Williams has set UNC records for career touchdowns and total yards; this year alone, he has passed for 2,829 yards and 21 touchdowns and run for 990 yards and 11 TDs.

Tickets are available through Baylor, with prices ranging from $89-157; those can be purchased online at BaylorBears.com/tickets, or by calling the Baylor Athletic Ticket Office at 254-710-1000 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30-5).

Baylor students may purchase tickets later this week at the Bill Daniel Student Center Ticket Office. Student tickets, which cost $30 each, will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Further details will be released later this week.

Official travel packages are available through Anthony Travel, and the Baylor Alumni Network is working on events in Orlando leading up to the game. Visit baylor.edu/fanzone and baylorbears.com/bowlcentral for all this information and other updates throughout the month.

Sic ’em, bowl-bound Bears!